UTSS works to eliminate the discrimination and attacks against people with albinism through education and advocacy.

“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth.” -- William Faulkner

The Advocacy and Public Awareness program educates people on the truths about albinism and fights for the inclusive human rights of people with albinism.

Be it educating a small community or speaking at the United Nations, UTSS always has the same message: People with albinism are just like everyone else with 2 simple differences: low vision and the lack of pigment (color) in their skin, hair and eyes. They deserve the same rights and opportunities as every person.

Following an attack on a person with albinism in Tanzania, UTSS arrives on site within 24-72 hours.

UTSS works with Tanzania's director of public prosecutions

Quick Action is Essential

We make sure survivors have adequate medical attention, counselling and a safe place to go.

If there has been a murder, we help with the funeral, and console the family.

We collect the facts related to the attack for legal action and to expose it to the media.

Information is provided to law enforcement, local government officials, international agencies and media.

We conduct Albinism Awareness Seminars right in the neighbourhood and community where the attack happened.

Baraka's Story

See the First Response team in action.

Little Baraka just lost his right hand to a vicious machete attack in his rural village home in Mbeya, Tanzania. Immediately the UTSS First Response Team springs into action, travelling to the site. Vicky Ntetema, Executive Director of Under The Same Sun Tanzania and leader of the team visits Baraka (6), his sister Lucia (3) and their mother Prisca at the hospital.

Vicky teaches Baraka’s mother Prisca about albinism, as the regional Secretary of the Tanzanian Albinism Society (standing) looks on. Prisca sustained head injuries while attempting to save her son during the attack. She has a total of 3 children with albinism.

Next the team visits the Kipeta Police Station in Baraka’s village. Vicky conducts an “Understanding Albinism” seminar for the police officers while three UTSS security personnel (standing by the vehicle) review the security risks in the area.

Enroute to Baraka’s house, the First Response Team encounters road challenges. This is a potentially dangerous situation for the team since they are coming to investigate the recent attack. Fortunately, villagers help to get the vehicle out of the sticky situation.

The team arrives at the house where Baraka was attacked as he was sleeping with his parents and siblings.

They gather evidence from the attack including photographing this mark on the ground. It was left by a machete strike when unidentified men pinned down and hacked off Baraka’s right hand.

Villagers in front of Baraka's house explain to Vicky Ntetema how the attack occurred..

Vicky interviews Baraka’s neighbours to get the facts regarding the attack. At the same time, the team takes the opportunity to give an albinism awareness seminar to the neighbours. It is hoped that next time something like this happens, the neighbours will recognise the danger and do more to help.

Meanwhile, back at the hospital Baraka is getting ready to leave for a safer place. He tries on new clothes given to him by the First Response Team. At the request of his mother, they’ll move him to a safe house and he will join the UTSS education program.

International Advocacy

UTSS is active at the United Nations, the African Union (AU), and in the international media to bring awareness and worldwide attention to the issue.

International Accomplishments

UTSS enjoys full NGO status at the United Nationas and makes regular presentations to U.N. committees.

The U.N. has issued 5 Human Rights Council Resolutions and the African Union has issued one, as a result of UTSS work.

International Albinism Awareness Day was named as June 13 by the U.N. in 2015

Since 2016, the U.N. has created the position of Independent Expert on Albinism

UTSS is the main source for publishing international data on human rights violations against persons with albinism. This data is used by the U.N., UNICEF and many others.

Donations from Canada and the USA are tax deductible.Canadian charitable #:851 599 860 RR0001U.S. EIN: 68-0680719For more information, send an email to info@underthesamesun.com

Donation Policy?

Disbursement of funds is limited to Board-approved programs or projects. Every donation designated towards a specific project will be used as allotted with the understanding that, when there are sufficient funds or if it cannot be completed for any reason, the remainder of the donation will be used where needed most.

Contact Us

Under The Same Sun
#200 - 15127 100th Ave
Surrey, B.C. Canada
V3R 0N9

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Under The Same Sun is a Registered Charity. All donations are deductible for income tax purposes in Canada and the USA.100% of your donations go directly to programs in Tanzania. All administration costs are covered by a generous benefactor.Canadian Charitable #: 851599860 RR0001US: EIN 68-0680719